Notes - The Frapin family has been distilling in the Cognac region for 20 generations. Their headquarters is at the stunning Château Fontpinot that is set amongst the 300 hectare estate at Segonzac within the Grande Champagne area. The Grande Champagne is one of the 6 regions of Cognac; it is set on chalky soils (similar to those of the Champagne region) and is generally thought to produce the richest, most long-lived cognacs. The vineyards cover around 200 hectares and are tended using the ‘Reasonable Agriculture’ approach. This means that the vineyards are cultivated naturally taking into account elements such as the biology of the vine, parasites, weather conditions, and soil. Natural elements are also restored to the earth by adding pruned branches and distillation residue back to the vineyard. Each year the harvest is carried out by hand. The Cognac is distilled twice in 4 traditional copper Charentais stills. Only the heart of the distillation is used as the beginning and end contain elements which can detract from the quality of the finished product. After distillation the spirit is aged in Limousin oak casks at Frapin’s chai where they are positioned accordingly either on the lower or upper level to achieve different flavours.